Product Description

In the world of historical painting, Don Troiani stands alone, universally acclaimed for the accuracy, drama, and sensitivity of his depictions of America's past. His Civil War paintings and limited edition prints hang in the finest collections in the country and are noted by collectors from around the world. Now, in Don Troiani's Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War, the artist turns his brush to one of the most colorful and captivating aspects of Civil War history: the individual units that earned their reputations on the battlefield and the distinctive uniforms they wore. In addition to 130 paintings of battle scenes and individual figures, the book also includes more than 250 full-color photographs of the uniforms the soldiers wore and the accouterments they carried. Supporting the illustrations is text by two of the leading military artifact experts. Taken together, it makes for one of the most comprehensive books on Civil War uniforms ever undertaken.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #500866 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 267 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Don Troiani is one of America's most talented and respected historical artists. His specialty is the Civil War, and this, the third book showcasing his artwork, has 380 color illustrations, including 250 photos of uniforms and associated gear, and 130 reproductions of Troiani's paintings. Many pictures are of individual soldiers, highlighting the wide variety of uniforms worn by soldiers of both sides, while others show the troops in battle. The headgear, shoes, knapsacks, drums and other photographed items mostly come from Troiani's vast personal collection, while others are from the West Point Museum, the collections of New York State, Confederate Memorial Hall, and smaller museums and private collections. The text by Coates, former curator of the National Security Agency's National Cryptologic Museum, and writer McAfee covers the state militia of the early days of the war, the infantry, cavalry, artillery, the gaudy "Zouaves," foreign volunteers and other branches, while chapter notes and a brief bibliography direct readers seeking more information on a favorite unit or uniform. This 9" 12" compendium should please buffs and reenactors re-creating period costume.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Don Troiani is the artist-author of the successful Don Troiani's Civil War and Don Troiani's Soldiers in America, 1754-1865. His artwork has appeared in American Heritage and Smithsonian magazines, the National Park Service, West Point Military Academy, and the Smithsonian Institution. In 1984 he established Historical Art Prints to distribute his paintings. He is also a consultant to A&E/The History Channel's "Civil War Journal" and "The American Revolution" miniseries. Earl J. Coates, former curator at the National Security Agency, is a leading authority on Civil War uniforms. Now retired and living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he is an officer of Maryland Arms Collectors, an officer of the North South Skirmish Association, and president of the Friends of Gettysburg National Park. Michael J. McAfee is an author of numerous books and articles. He is a collector of Civil War photography and an authority on Civil War uniforms, particularly Zouaves. He is a curator at the West Point Museum, at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Customer Reviews

A MUST for Civil War Buffs
Don Troiani has done it again. Fantastic book! Knowing the quality of Troiani's work, I'd had it pre-ordered for some time, and am thrilled to now have it in hand.

Many illustrations are of individual soldiers - allowing for a precise look at the uniform fit, colors and textures as well as how the accessories and accoutrements were worn. The book's illustrations are fantastic and it also has 250+ photographs of uniforms and equipment - many items are from the artist's personal, extensive collection. There is extensive coverage of Zouaves and Chasseurs.

If you've never seen a fully uniformed and armed soldier from the 3rd New Jersey Cavalry, 1st U.S. Hussars 1864-65, a quick purusal will explain why they were nicknamed The Butterflies.

After hearing Mr. Troiani speak in the summer of 2001 (and getting to briefly meet him), he has become my favorite Civil War artist by far. His soldiers are real - sometimes muddy, bloody and torn, and faces may have several days growth of beard, with their emotions and fatigue clearly visible. Hair and facial hair styles are accurate, as are body sizes and types, and all small details. Gaze deeply into one of his paintings, and soon you'll swear you can hear the noise of battle and feel the fear, confusion, determination and courage of the soldiers. Troiani takes you there.

The text, written by Earl Coates, Michael McAfee and Don Troiani, is accurate, concise and thoroughly expands one's understanding of the illustrations.

Extensive sources are given, as are recommendations for museums (and their websites) with extensive collections of Civil War uniforms. Don't let the price throw you, the book is well worth it.

Latest volume in the "Troiani Triology" is the best one yet.
If you enjoyed "Don Troiani's Civil War" and "Soldiers in America" you'll love the new "Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War." What becomes more clear with each book is the incredible amount of research that goes into Mr. Troiani's work.
This latest book is a perfect combination of text, photography and art.
Noted Civil War authorities Earl Coates and Michael McAfee provide the in depth research text that reads like a novel. The photos of uniforms, headgear, buttons, et al show the extensiveness of resources (most from his personal collection) available to Troiani. Based on these two pillars of knowledge, Troiani creates art of Civil War soldiers in uniform that is unparallelled in accuracy as well as anatomy and action.

This book is a terrific time-sink!
Because I'm a working historian with a strong interest in material culture and artifacts, combined with a tourist's interest in Civil War battlefields, I've long been a fan of Troiani's amazingly detailed, extremely accurate, almost photographic art. This gorgeous volume combines large-scale reproductions of 130 of his paintings with some 250 color photos of surviving uniforms and equipment from museums and collections around the country (including Troiani's own). After a couple hours of page-turning, I went back and spent much more time studying the depictions of units of special interest to me, such as the Washington Artillery of New Orleans and Terry's Texas Rangers. The variety in uniforms and insignia is staggering, especially compared to the "uniformity" of modern military uniforms. As usual, he includes extensive technical notes and specs, as well as an annotated guide to artifact collections. It's not a cheap book, but it's worth every penny.